Key duplication machine having pivoting clamp

ABSTRACT

A clamp is disclosed for a key making machine. The clamp may have an anvil, and a door movable toward the anvil to sandwich a key blank therebetween. The clamp may also have a gate pivotally connected to the door and configured to engage the key blank.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application under 35 U.S.C. § 120 ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/564,358, filed Sep. 9, 2019, whichis a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/699,610, filed Sep. 8, 2017, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/393,905, filed on Sep.13, 2016, the contents of all of which are expressly incorporated hereinby reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to a key duplication machine and,more particularly, to a key duplication machine having a pivoting clampfor securing key blanks during cutting.

BACKGROUND

An existing key can be duplicated by measuring a profile of the existingkey and copying that profile within a corresponding key blank. The keyblank generally has a size and shape larger than the master key, so thatthe key blank can be machined (e.g., cut and/or milled down) to functionlike the existing key. During machining, the key blank is mounted into aclamp and held stationary. The measured profile is then used toreproduce a corresponding pattern of notches within the key blank,thereby replicating the existing key.

Conventional clamps found within key making machines include a door thatis forced toward a base or anvil, such that a portion of the key blankis sandwiched therebetween. Although the conventional clamps may beadequate for some situations, they can also be problematic. For example,during engagement with the key blank, it may be possible for the door topush the key blank partway out of the key making machine before the keyis securely sandwiched between the door and the anvil. When this occurs,the key blank may be machined incorrectly, causing the duplicationprocess to fail.

The disclosed key duplication machine and clamp are directed toovercoming one or more of the problems set forth above and/or otherproblems of the prior art.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a clamp for a keymaking machine. The clamp may include an anvil, and a door movabletoward the anvil to sandwich a key blank therebetween. The clamp mayalso include a gate pivotally connected to the door and configured toengage the key blank.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a key makingmachine. The key making machine may include a housing having a firstopening configured to receive an existing key, and at least a secondopening configured to receive at least one key blank. The key makingmachine may also include an imaging system located within the housingand configured to capture an edge profile of the existing key, and atleast one fabrication module configured to cut the edge profile into theat least one key blank. The key making machine may further include aclamp located within the fabrication module and being configured tosecure the at least one key blank during cutting of the edge profile.The clamp may include an anvil, and a door having a T-shaped recessformed at a lower end adjacent the anvil and guide channels formed atopposing sides that are configured to engage the housing. The door maybe moveable toward the anvil to sandwich the at least one key blanktherebetween. The clamp may also include a gate pivotally connected tothe door and configured to engage the at least one key blank. The gatemay have a T-shaped frame supported within the T-shaped recess, and apiston extending inward from the gate and configured to engage the atleast one key blank. An end surface of the piston may extend a greaterdistance toward the at least one key blank at an inner edge than at anouter edge.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method ofclamping a key blank within a machine for cutting of notches within thekey blank. The method may include receiving the key blank to be cutwithin the machine, and biasing a door toward a beveled surface of ananvil to sandwich the key blank between a lower edge of the door and theanvil. The biasing causes a gate to pivot and thereby push the key blankfurther into the machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an front-view illustration of an exemplary disclosed keymaking machine;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary disclosed control diagram of the key makingmachine of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is an internal perspective view illustration of an exemplarydisclosed clamp that may be used in conjunction with the key makingmachine of FIGS. 1 and 2 ;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are exploded and cross-sectional view illustrations,respectively, of exemplary disclosed portions of the clamp of FIG. 3 ;and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective and side-view illustrations, respectively,of an exemplary disclosed anvil that may form a portion of the clamp ofFIG. 3 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary key making machine (“machine”) 10 thatcan be used to fabricate a copy of an existing key from a correspondingkey blank. Machine 10 may include, among other things, a centralizeddisplay 22, one or more key blank slots (“slots”) 24, one or moreexisting key slots (“slots”) 26, a transponder section 28, and a reader30. Following queues provided via display 22, a user may insert anexisting key into slot 26 for identification and/or data capturing, andthen insert corresponding key blanks into one or both of slots 24 forsimultaneous fabrication of one or more new keys. Transponder section 28may be used to detect and/or program transponders embedded within theexisting key and/or the key blank. Reader 30 may be used to confirm thatthe key blank(s) are the correct key blank(s) corresponding to theexisting key, and/or to charge the user for the key duplication process.One of more of slot(s) 24, slot 26, transponder section 28, and reader30 may be provided with an indicator light 32 in close proximity thatdelivers additional queues to the user of machine 10.

A diagrammatic illustration of machine 10 is provided in FIG. 2 . Asshown in this figure, machine 10 may be generally modular and include,among other things, an identification module 34 configured to receivethe shank end of the existing key inserted through slot 26, any numberof (e.g., two) fabrication modules 36 configured to receive the shankends of key blanks inserted through slots 24, a transpondersensor/cloner 38 associated with transponder section 28, and acontroller 40. Controller 40 may communicate with each of the othercomponents, as well as with display 22, reader 30, and indicatorlight(s) 32 to regulate the key duplication process. Although theinter-component communications shown in FIG. 2 are illustrated as wiredconnections, it is contemplated that some or all of these communicationscould be wireless (e.g., Bluetooth, cellular, infrared, radio, Wi-Fi,etc.), if desired. It is further contemplated that machine 10 could beequipped with a router or cellular modem for communication with anothermachine 10, a back office, a service tool, etc.

As described above, display 22 may provide queues to the user of machine10 regarding the key duplication process. These queues may include,among other things, when, where, and how to insert the existing key andthe key blanks into machine 10. For example, display 22 may have agraphical user interface (GUI) that shows an image of the outside ofmachine 10, along with highlighting of the active slot(s) (i.e., slot(s)24 and/or slot 26) that should be used for key insertion. In anotherexample, controller 40 may correlate images on display 22 withillumination of particular indicator lights 32, thereby guiding the userto the correct slot. Further, a color, intensity, and/or frequency oflight illumination may vary based on a degree of key insertion. Forexample, a particular indicator light 32 could initially illuminate in ared color, attracting the attention of the user to the correspondingslot. Then, as the user inserts the existing key or the key blank intothat slot, the particular indicator light 32 could illuminate in ayellow color, followed by green when the key is fully and properlyinserted. Other illumination strategies may also be employed.

In some embodiments, display 22 may additionally allow the user to inputinstructions, make selections, and/or answer questions regarding adesired duplication event. The instructions may include, for example, anumber of duplicate keys to be produced, a desired pick-up time, auser's name, a desired delivery address, key identification information,a desire for duplication information to be stored for future reference,etc. The questions asked of the user may include for example, a make,model, and/or year of an associated car that the existing keycorresponds with; a type and/or brand of lock to which the existing keybelongs; and whether the existing key is a transponder key. Theinstructions, selections, and/or questions, as well as correspondingresponses, may be communicated visually, audibly, and/or tactilely viadisplay 22, as desired. For example, display 22 may be a touch screenand/or include another input device such as a key board, a mouse, alight pen, or a microphone that receives input from the user.Information received via display 22 may be directed to controller 40 forfurther processing, and controller 40 may respond to the customer viadisplay 22.

Reader 30 may be configured to detect and read an index 42 associatedwith the key blanks. In one example, each index 42 is a unique barcodeprinted on a card to which each key blank is affixed, and correspondswith information stored in a memory of controller 40. For example, thebarcode could correspond with an identity of the affixed key blankand/or a cost associated with using the affixed key blank in aduplication process. It is contemplated that the barcode (or anotherindex 42) could alternatively be located directly on the key blank, ifdesired. Signals generated by reader 30 may be directed to controller 40for comparison of the stored identity with an expected identity of acorrect key blank. If the identity associated with index 42 does notcorrespond with the expected identity of the correct key blank,controller 40 may then cause display 22 to alert the user that theselected key blank is incorrect.

Identification module 34 may be configured to detect, identify, and/ormeasure distinguishing characteristics of the existing key insertedthrough slot 24. Although identification module 34 is shown in FIG. 2 asbeing co-located with fabrication module 36 within a common housing, itis contemplated that identification module 34 could alternatively behoused separately and positioned near (e.g., adjacent and facing in thesame or another direction as) or remote from fabrication module 36, asdesired. Identification module 34 may include, among other things, a keyreceiving assembly 44 and an imaging system 46. Key receiving assembly44 may be configured to clamp an existing key in a particularorientation (e.g., lying horizontally with the shank thereof pointedinward toward the module) and at a particular location. Imaging system46 may be configured to generate images of the existing key (or portionsthereof) after it is received within key receiving assembly 44, and todirect data associated with the images to controller 40.

An exemplary embodiment of key receiving assembly 44 is shown in FIG. 2as having a clamp 48 located immediately adjacent slot 26, and a guide50 positioned at a side of clamp 48 opposite slot 26. Each of thesecomponents may cooperate to receive the existing key as the existing keyis inserted by the user shank-first through slot 26. For example, sideedges of slot 26 may be beveled inward toward a general center suchthat, as the existing key is inserted, the head of the existing key mayengage the bevels and be urged toward the center (i.e., toward greateralignment with guide 50). Guide 50 may slide from clamp 48 inward to adesired imaging position during and/or after insertion of the existingkey through slot 24. Clamp 48 may be spring-biased to secure theexisting key in place during imaging, and a mechanical advantage may beprovided to help reduce the effort required from the operator to insertthe existing key through slot 26. In the disclosed embodiment, themechanical advantage is provided by way of a lever arm 51.

Imaging system 46 may be a vision-based system employing one or moresources of visible and/or invisible light, and a receiver. The receivermay be, for example, a camera 52 that is located to any side of theexisting key during imaging. Camera 52 may be configured to captureimages of the existing key, while the light sources are selectivelyturned on and off. In the disclosed example, the light sources are “backlights” 54 configured to shine directly or indirectly toward theexisting key from a side opposite (e.g., from below) camera 52. Camera52, at this time, may capture a silhouette image of the existing keyshowing an exterior edge outline of the existing key and a location ofreference features of the existing key (e.g., of shoulders and/or a tipof the existing key). Signals generated by camera 52 may be directed tocontroller 40 for further processing.

In another example, imaging system 46 may include one or more “sidelights” 56 and/or a laser 58. Side lights 56 may be configured to shinelight onto the existing key, one at a time, from an oblique side angle.During activation of each side light 56, camera 52 may be used togenerate an image of the existing key showing an interior edge outlineof notches milled into a center of the existing key. Laser 58 may beconfigured to scan the existing key while camera 52 generates one ormore transverse stripe images. These additional signals generated bycamera 52 may also be directed to controller 40 for further processing.

Each fabrication module 36 may include, among other things, a receivingunit 60, and one or more cutting wheels 62 movable relative to receivingunit 60 via a gantry 64. The key blank retrieved by the user based onimage data captured via identification module 34 may be inserted throughslot 24 into receiving unit 60. After being accepted by thecorresponding receiving unit 60 (e.g., after the shank end of the keyblank has passed through slot 24), cutting wheel(s) 62 and gantry 64 maybe selectively activated to produce desired features within the keyblank.

Receiving unit 60 may have any configuration known in the art forreceiving, clamping, and/or positioning the inserted key blank relativeto cutting wheels 62. In one embodiment, receiving unit 60 includes jawsthat are spring-biased toward each other to sandwich the key blank therebetween, and/or a clamp that is movable to secure the key blank oncepositioned. In some embodiments, a sensor may be used to measure a shanklength of the key blank during insertion, the length being subsequentlyused by controller 40 as a way to confirm proper placement of the keyblank. Once the key blank has been placed at a desired cutting location,the clamp may be actuated to push down on only the key blank.Thereafter, the jaws may be completely withdrawn from the key blank,exposing the shank of the key blank to cutting wheels 62.

Cutting wheels 62 may be used to make notches in one or both shank edgesof the key blank. During fabrication of the notches, one or more motorsconnected to cutting wheels 62 may be selectively activated, and a leadscrew of gantry 64 may be driven in an X-direction to move cuttingwheels 62 into and out of the shank along the length or Y-direction ofthe key blank. The amount of movement in the X-direction at a givenposition in the Y-direction may be controlled based on the pattern ofexisting notches measured in the existing key by identification module34. For a singled-edge key, only one of cutting wheels 62 may be used atone side of the key blank. For a dual-edge key, both cutting wheels 62may be used at the same time or at different times to create notches inopposing sides of the key blank. It is contemplated that somefabrications modules 36 may have only one cutting wheel 62, while otherfabrication modules 36 may include the two cutting wheels 62 describedabove. In particular, some systems may be designed to cut only a singleedge into a key blank, while other systems may be designed to cut dualedges. In fact, it may be possible for a single fabrication module 36 toinclude both types of systems. Any configuration may be possible.

As discussed above, it may be possible for the existing key that theuser wishes to duplicate to be embedded with or otherwise include atransponder that enables activation of an associated lock (e.g., anignition lock in a vehicle). In these situations, it may be desirable tocode a new duplicate key (i.e., the key blank notched by machine 10) tomatch the existing key with the same transponder code to ensure that theduplicate key functions in the same manner as the existing key. In thedisclosed embodiment, the transponder code in the existing key can bedetected and read at sensor/cloner 38. And after fabricating notchesinto the shank of the appropriate key blank, the same code may be clonedwithin the transponder of the new key at sensor/cloner 38. In thedisclosed embodiment, sensing and cloning are performed by the samedevice and at the same location on machine 10. It is contemplated,however, that different devices located together or separately mayalternatively be used to perform these functions, if desired.

Controller 40 may embody a single microprocessor or multiplemicroprocessors that include a means for controlling operations ofmachine 10. Numerous commercially available microprocessors can beconfigured to perform the functions of controller 40. Controller 40 mayinclude all the components required to run an application such as, forexample, a memory, a secondary storage device, and a processor, such asa central processing unit or any other means known in the art forcontrolling display 22, reader 30, indicator lights 32, identificationmodule 34, fabrication module(s) 36, and transponder sensor/cloner 38.Various other known circuits may be associated with controller 40,including power supply circuitry, signal-conditioning circuitry,solenoid driver circuitry, communication circuitry, switching circuitry,and other appropriate circuitry.

In some embodiments, machine 10 may also include a means for receivingpayment from the user. These means may include, for example, a coinoperated mechanism, a bill receiver, a credit card reader, and/or areceipt reader (e.g., a barcode reader configured to recognize aprevious payment having already been received at another location and/ortime). The means for receiving payment may be located anywhere onmachine 10, and be capable of directing signals associated with thepayment to controller 40 (or elsewhere) for further processing.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary receiving unit 60, from a perspectiveinside of fabrication module 36. From this perspective, receiving unit60 is shown to include an exemplary clamp 66 that secures a key blankinserted into machine 10 via slot 24. Clamp 66 may include, among otherthings, a door assembly 68, which is selectively moved downward by amotor 70 to press the key blank against a lower support (also known asan anvil) 72. In this embodiment, motor 70 includes a cam lobe 73connected to a shaft thereof and positioned within an opening 74 of doorassembly 68. As motor 70 rotates, the shape of cam lobe 73 may causedoor assembly 68 to raise or lower, thereby releasing or clamping thekey blank. Door assembly 68 may be spring biased toward a closedposition (e.g., by way of one or more levers 76 that are connected toopposing sides of door assembly 68), and moved toward the open positionby motor 70. One or more sensors (not shown) may be associated withclamp 66 to monitor the position of door assembly 68 and/or motor 70, asdesired.

As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 , door assembly 68 may include multiplecomponents that cooperate to generate pressure on the key blank whendoor assembly 68 is pushed downward by levers 76. These components mayinclude, among other things, a generally plate-like base 77, a clevis78, a pin 79, and a gate 80 pivotally connected to base 77 via clevis 78and pin 79. Base 77 may have opening 74 formed within an upper end 82,and vertical channels 84 at sides thereof that function as guide railsto engage a housing of fabrication module 36 during opening and closingmovements of door assembly 68. A lower end 86 of base 77 may beconfigured to push the key blank against anvil 72, and include atransverse recess 88 formed therein. Recess 88 may have a generallyupside-down T-shape, with a wider shallow portion at lower end 86 and anarrower stem portion that extends upward toward upper end 82 from atransverse center of the shallow portion. A mounting shelf 90 mayprotrude inward from base 77 at a location between upper and lower ends82, 86 (e.g., from a distal end of the stem portion of recess 88). Shelf90 may be integral with base 77 or fabricated separately andsubsequently joined to base 77 (e.g., via welding or brazing), asdesired. One or more generally cylindrical (e.g., frustoconical) anchorpoints 92 may also protrude inward from base 77 at a location betweenupper end 82 and shelf 90. Anchor points 92 may function as pivot axesfor levers 76 (referring to FIG. 3 ).

Clevis 78 may function as a pivot bracket for pivotally connecting gate80 to base 77 via pin 79. In particular, clevis 78 may include amounting plate 94 having an upper surface 95 configured to engage anunderside of shelf 90, and two integral and spaced-apart tabs 96 thatextend downward in a vertical direction from a lower surface 97.Mounting plate 94 may be connected to shelf 90 by way of one or morefasteners 98. Pin 79 may pass transversely through holes 100 formedwithin tabs 96 and also through a corresponding hole 102 formed in gate80, to thereby allow gate 80 to pivot relative to clevis 78 and base 77about pin 79.

Gate 80 may have a generally T-shaped frame 104 configured to fit withthe upside-down T-shaped recess 88 of base 77, such that gate 80 maytranslate vertically with base 77 under the influence of motor 70 and/orlevers 76 (referring to FIG. 3 ). Gate 80 may be connected to base 77 byway of pin 79 in the manner described above, and include a piston 106integrally formed below hole 102 and inward of frame 104. Frame 104 mayfit loosely within recess 88, such that a pivoting motion of gate 80inward and outward relative to base 77 may be possible. One or moremotion limiters 107 may be formed at opposing transverse ends of frame104 to engage corresponding openings in base 77 and thereby function tolimit the pivoting motion.

Piston 106 may have a generally rectangular cross-section and beconfigured to engage a portion of the inserted key blank during thepre-machining clamping described above. In particular, the cross-sectionof piston 106 may have a length direction and a width direction, and thelength direction may be generally aligned with a shank of the key blankwhen it is inserted into slot 24 below piston 106. A lower horizontalsurface 108 of piston 106, which is configured to engage the key blank,may not be perfectly perpendicular relative to vertical surfaces of gate80 and/or base 77. In particular, the lower surface may be beveledslightly, such that a distal inner edge of the cross-section of piston106 extends downward farther than an outer edge adjacent base 77. Withthis configuration, the downward motion of gate 80 may cause the inneredge to engage the key blank first, thereby creating a counter-clockwisemoment about pin 79 (counter-clockwise relative to the perspective ofFIG. 5 ) that causes gate 80 to pivot. The counter-clockwise motion mayhelp to push the key blank fully into (and/or to retain the key blank ata correct position inside of) fabrication module 34.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an exemplary anvil 72 having unique featuresthat are configured to cooperate with gate 80 and help secure the keyblank during machining. These features may include, for example, agenerally T-shaped cross-section having a double-beveled upper surface109. The T-shaped cross-section of anvil 72 may be configured togenerally align with (e.g., mate against) the T-shaped cross-section ofgate 80, such that the two cross-sections may be pressed toward eachother and sandwich the key blank therebetween. Upper surface 109 may belocated on a longer center leg of the T-shape, and divided into a firstportion 109 a near an intersection with the remaining shorter leg and asecond portion 109 b at a distal end of the center leg. Each of firstand second portions 109 a, 109 b may be flat and beveled downward towardeach other, such that an intersection of these portions is located lower(i.e., farther from piston 106) than opposing ends. In one embodiment,an internal angle α of the bevel measured between a vertical referenceline and first and second portions 109 a, 109 b may be about 89.5° toabout 89.8°. In this embodiment, the internal angle α associated withfirst portion 109 a may be larger than the internal angle α associatedwith second portion 109 b. This bevel may provide a space below the keyblank for piston 106 to deflect the key blank downward during clamping,thereby increasing a clamping load on the key blank. A leadinghorizontal edge 110 of anvil 72 (i.e., of the shorter leg) may have achamfer 112 that helps to ease entry of the key blank into slot 24. Anupper tip of a trailing edge 114 may have a similar chamfer 116 toprovide clearance for other components of fabrication module 34. A base118 of anvil 72 may flare transversely outward to provide support for alead screw of gantry 64 (referring to FIG. 2 ).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The disclosed key making machine 10 may allow for greater precision inthe key making process. In particular, the disclosed clamp may help toensure proper positioning of a key blank prior to cutting of notcheswithin the key blank. In addition, the disclosed clamp may provide asecure hold on the key blank during cutting.

To begin the duplication process, a customer or sales associate mayinsert an existing key of any configuration through slot 26 ofidentification module 34. In some embodiments, this action may be thevery first action taken in the process and, by initiating this action,wake (i.e., trigger activation of) the associated machine 10. As theexisting key is inserted through slot 26, the head of the existing keymay engage the beveled surfaces of slot 26, while the tip of theexisting key engages guide 50. At this time, movement of the existingkey in through slot 26 may cause the tip of the existing key to pushguide 50 away from slot 26. This motion may continue until the head ofthe existing key is seated properly inside of the mouth of slot 26. Thisengagement may cause the head of the existing aster key to align withguide 50 in preparation for imaging.

After the shank of the existing key is inserted into identificationmodule 34, camera 52 may be triggered to capture one or more images ofonly the shank of the existing key. The images, as described above, mayinclude a backlight image, one or more sidelight images, and/or a laserscan image. These images may show a location of the tip of the key, aprofile of the shank, and a location of shoulders at a base of the key'shead (if shoulders are present).

Based on the backlight image (i.e., based on the silhouette of theexisting key), it may be determined if the existing key is an edge-cutkey, a side-mill key, or in some embodiments simply a key that cannot beduplicated with machine 10. In one example, these determinations may bemade based on the edge profile of the existing key, as captured in thebacklight image. Specifically, if the edge profile is a straightprofile, then it may be classified as a side-mill key. Otherwise, it maybe classified as an edge cut key. In another example, the master key maybe identified as a particular one of a plurality of known keys (e.g.,key #66) and, based on the identification, reference a lookup map storedin memory to determine the class of key (edge-cut or side-mill) that itis and if it can be duplicated by machine 10. The backlight image, whenthe existing key is an edge cut key, may also be used to measure aprofile of the biting edge(s) of the key. It is contemplated that, insome embodiments, the step of determining the type of key inserted intoidentification module 34 may be omitted, and machine 10 may be capableof cutting only one type of key (e.g., only edge cut keys).

When it is determined that the existing key is an edge-cut key, thelaser scan image may be used to identify and/or measure a channelprofile of the existing key (i.e., the shapes, sizes, and/or locationsof channels) in a manner known in the art. In some embodiments,capturing of the laser scan image may only be made after determinationthat the existing key is an edge-cut key. In other embodiments, thelaser scan image may always be captured.

When it is determined that the existing mater key is a side-mill key,the sidelight images may be used together to determine the side-millprofile of the existing key. In particular, each side light may beselectively turned on, one at a time, to capture an inner edge profile.Specifically, by shining the side light across the surface of theexisting key, a shadow may be created. By capturing an image at thistime, a pattern at a surface of existing key becomes visible. As withthe laser-scan image described above, it is contemplated that thesidelight images may always be captured by identification module 34 oronly captured in response to classification of the existing key as aside-mill key.

The customer and/or associate may be instructed (e.g., via display 22)to retrieve the appropriate key blank and then insert the retrieved keyblank into slot 24 of fabrication module 36. As the shank of theappropriate key blank is being inserted by slot 24 of fabrication module36, the key blank may be mechanically aligned by the insertion. In someembodiments, an identity of the key blank may first be confirmed (e.g.,via interpretation of index 42 by reader 30) prior to insertion of thekey blank into slot 24. If an inconsistency is detected at this point intime, the process may be prematurely halted.

It is contemplated that the identity of the key blank inserted intofabrication module 36 may be confirmed without use of index 42, ifdesired. For example, it may be possible to determine the identity ofsome key blanks based on characteristics of their heads (e.g., an outerprofile, an eyelet shape, etc.). It is also contemplated that thesecharacteristics could be used in conjunction with index 42 and/or ameasured length of the key blank, if desired.

Once the correct key blank has been properly placed through slot 24,motor 70 may rotate cam lobe 73 to release door assembly 68, base 77 andgate 80 to move downward toward anvil 72 and sandwich the key blanktherebetween. As gate 80 moves downward, the inner edge of pistonsurface 108 may engage the head of the key blank first. Because of theangled nature of surface 108, further downward movement may generate amoment about pin 79, causing piston 106 to pivot inward until motionlimiters 107 engage corresponding features of base 77. This pivotingmotion of piston 106 may function to force the key blank further inwardinto fabrication module 36, just prior to the key blank being fullysecured by clamp 66. Precision cutting of the key blank may then begin.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the disclosed key makingmachine and clamp. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilledin the art from consideration of the specification and practice of thedisclosed key making machine and clamp. It is intended that thespecification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a truescope being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A clamp for a key making machine, comprising: ananvil; a door movable toward the anvil, the door extending from an upperend to a lower end; at least one spring-biased lever arm pivotallyconnected with the door at the upper end opposite the anvil; a mountingshelf extending perpendicularly from the door and located between theupper end and the lower end of the door; and a gate pivotally connectedto the mounting shelf and configured to pivotally move toward or awayfrom the door, wherein the anvil and the gate are configured to sandwicha key blank therebetween.
 2. The clamp of claim 1, wherein: the doorincludes a T-shaped recess formed adjacent to the lower end of the door;and the gate has a T-shaped frame supported within the T-shaped recess.3. The clamp of claim 2, wherein the gate further includes a pistonextending perpendicular to the T-shaped frame and configured to engagethe key blank, the piston having a lower surface inclined relative tothe door and the key blank.
 4. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the gate isconfigured to pivot about a pivoting axis and the gate includes motionlimiters extending from opposing ends of the gate in a directionparallel to the pivoting axis, the motion limiters being configured toengage the door and limit pivoting of the gate.
 5. The clamp of claim 1,further including: a clevis connected to the mounting shelf; and a pinpassing through the gate and the clevis.
 6. The clamp of claim 5,wherein the clevis includes: a mounting plate connected to the mountingshelf; and spaced-apart tabs configured to receive a correspondingportion of the gate therebetween.
 7. The clamp of claim 1, wherein: thedoor includes an opening formed adjacent to the upper end of the door;and the clamp further includes a motor having a lobed cam configured toengage the upper end of the door.
 8. The clamp of claim 7, wherein: theat least one spring-biased lever arm is configured to urge the doortoward an open position; and the motor is configured to move the door toa closed position.
 9. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the anvil isgenerally T-shaped.
 10. The clamp of claim 9, wherein: the anvil has ashorter leg and a longer leg extending from a center of the shorter leg;an upper surface of the longer leg is configured to engage the keyblank; and the upper surface is beveled away from the door at a centerof the upper surface.
 11. The clamp of claim 10, wherein: the uppersurface is divided into a first flat portion adjacent the shorter leg,and a second flat portion away from the shorter leg; and an interiorangle between a vertical dividing line of the first and second flatportions and the first flat portion is greater than an interior anglebetween the vertical dividing line and the second flat portion.
 12. Theclamp of claim 10, wherein an outer edge of the shorter leg ischamfered.
 13. The clamp of claim 10, wherein the longer leg has a basethat flares transversely outward to provide support for a gantry leadscrew.
 14. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the door includes: opposingsides defining a width of the door; and guide channels formed in theopposing sides, the guide channels configured to engage a housing of thekey making machine.
 15. A key making machine, comprising: a housinghaving a first opening configured to receive an existing key, and atleast a second opening configured to receive at least one key blank; animaging system located within the housing and configured to capture anedge profile of the existing key; at least one fabrication moduleconfigured to cut the edge profile into the at least one key blank; anda clamp located within the at least one fabrication module and beingconfigured to secure the at least one key blank during cutting of theedge profile, the clamp including: an anvil; a door movable toward theanvil, the door extending from an upper end to a lower end; at least onespring-biased lever arm pivotally connected with the door at the upperend opposite the anvil; a mounting shelf extending perpendicularly fromthe door and located between the upper end and the lower end of thedoor; and a gate pivotally connected to the mounting shelf andconfigured to pivotally move toward or away from the door, wherein theanvil and the gate are configured to sandwich the key blanktherebetween.
 16. The key making machine of claim 15, wherein the doorincludes a T-shaped recess formed adjacent to the lower end of the door;and the gate has a T-shaped frame supported within the T-shaped recess.17. The clamp of claim 15, wherein: the anvil is generally T-shaped,having a shorter leg and a longer leg extending from a center of theshorter leg; an upper surface of the longer leg is configured to engagethe key blank; and the upper surface is beveled away from the door at acenter of the upper surface.
 18. The key making machine of claim 17,wherein the gate further includes a piston extending perpendicular to aframe of the gate and configured to sandwich the key blank between alower surface of the piston and the upper surface of the longer leg ofthe anvil.
 19. A clamp for a key making machine, comprising: an anvil; adoor movable toward the anvil, the door extending from an upper end to alower end; a mounting shelf extending perpendicularly from the door andlocated between the upper end and the lower end of the door; a gatepivotally connected to the mounting shelf, the anvil and the gate beingconfigured to sandwich a key blank therebetween; a clevis connected tothe mounting shelf; and a pin passing through the gate and the clevis.